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| You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, available as a free download, to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more about PDF, and for a link to the free Acrobat Reader. |
Select Sector:
These documents are also available in Russian and Spanish.
Installing Plunger Lift Systems in Gas Wells (PDF, 24 pp., 175 KB)
Installing plunger lift systems is a cost-effective alternative to beam pumps and blowing down the well for removing fluids in mature wells. Plunger lifts systems have the benefit of increasing production while significantly reducing methane emissions.
Convert Gas Pneumatic Controls to Instrument Air (PDF, 18 pp., 243 KB)
Converting natural gas-powered pneumatic control systems to compressed instrument air systems is an effective way to achieve significant cost savings, reduce methane emission, and increase safety. By substituting compressed air for pressurized natural gas, instrument air systems eliminate the constant bleed of natural gas from controllers—one of the largest sources of methane emissions in the natural gas industry.
Optimize Glycol Circulation and Install of Flash Tank Separators in Dehydrators (PDF, 16 pp., 235 KB)
Reducing the glycol circulation rate in dehydrators improves dehydrator unit efficiency, saves gas, decreases energy use, and reduces methane and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, all at negligible costs. Installing flash tank separators on dehydrators can further reduce methane, VOC and hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions, and save even more money.
Installing Vapor Recovery Units on Crude Oil Storage Tanks (PDF, 12 pp., 166 KB)
Installing vapor recovery units (VRUs) on crude oil storage tanks is a simple and cost effective method of capturing nearly 95 percent of the methane and other light hydrocarbon vapors typically vented to the atmosphere.
Options for Reducing Methane Emissions from Pneumatic Devices in the Natural Gas Industry (PDF, 17 pp., 137 KB)
Replacing with low-bleed devices, retrofitting, and improving the maintenance of high-bleed pneumatic devices are proven approaches to profitably reducing methane emissions. Natural gas emissions from pneumatic control devices are one of the largest sources of methane emissions in the natural gas industry.
Reducing Emissions When Taking Compressors Off-Line (PDF, 11 pp., 221 KB)
Changing operational practices when compressors are taken off-line is a simple, yet cost-effective way to save money and significantly reduce methane emissions. Keeping compressors pressurized, routing gas emissions to fuel, and installing static seals are three simple practices that pay big dividends.
Reducing Methane Emissions from Compressor Rod Packing Systems (PDF, 12 pp., 153 KB)
Using an economic replacement threshold approach to replacing worn compressor rod packing rings and rods results in operational benefits, reduced methane emissions, and cost savings. Gas leaks from compressor rods represent one of the largest sources of emissions at natural gas compressor stations.
Replacing Gas-Assisted Glycol Pumps with Electric Pumps (PDF, 17 pp., 273 KB)
Replacing gas-assisted glycol pumps on glycol dehydrators with electric pumps can increase system efficiency and significantly reduce methane emissions. Electric pumps also reduce maintenance costs and reduce hazardous air pollutant emissions, further reducing compliance costs.
Replacing Glycol Dehydrators with Desiccant Dehydrators (PDF, 21 pp., 784 KB)
Replacing glycol dehydrators with desiccant dehydrators reduces methane, volatile organic compound (VOC), and hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions by 99 percent. Desiccant dehydrators also cost less to install and have significantly lower operating and maintenance costs.
Replacing Wet Seals with Dry Seals in Centrifugal Compressors (PDF, 13 pp., 398 KB)
Replacing wet seals with dry seals in centrifugal compressors significantly reduces operating costs and methane emissions. Dry seals use high-pressure gas to seal the compressor and emit less methane, have lower power requirements, improve compressor and pipeline operating efficiency and performance, enhance compressor reliability, and require significantly less maintenance.
Convert Gas Pneumatic Controls to Instrument Air (PDF, 18 pp., 243 KB)
Converting natural gas-powered pneumatic control systems to compressed instrument air systems is an effective way to achieve significant cost savings, reduce methane emission, and increase safety. By substituting compressed air for pressurized natural gas, instrument air systems eliminate the constant bleed of natural gas from controllers-one of the largest sources of methane emissions in the natural gas industry.
Optimize Glycol Circulation and Install of Flash Tank Separators in Dehydrators (PDF, 16 pp., 235 KB)
Reducing the glycol circulation rate in dehydrators improves dehydrator unit efficiency, saves gas, decreases energy use, and reduces methane and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, all at negligible costs. Installing flash tank separators on dehydrators can further reduce methane, VOC and HAP emissions, and save even more money.
Options for Reducing Methane Emissions from Pneumatic Devices in the Natural Gas Industry (PDF, 17 pp., 140 KB)
Replacing with low-bleed devices, retrofitting, and improving the maintenance of high-bleed pneumatic devices are proven approaches to profitably reducing methane emissions. Natural gas emissions from pneumatic control devices are one of the largest sources of methane emissions in the natural gas industry.
Reducing Emissions When Taking Compressors Off-Line (PDF, 11 pp., 221 KB)
Changing operational practices when compressors are taken off-line is a simple, yet cost-effective way to save money and significantly reduce methane emissions. Keeping compressors pressurized, routing gas emissions to fuel, and installing static seals are three simple practices that pay big dividends.
Reducing Methane Emissions from Compressor Rod Packing Systems (PDF, 12 pp., 153 KB)
Using an economic replacement threshold approach to replacing worn compressor rod packing rings and rods results in operational benefits, reduced methane emissions, and cost savings. Gas leaks from compressor rods represent one of the largest sources of emissions at natural gas compressor stations.
Replacing Gas-Assisted Glycol Pumps with Electric Pumps (PDF, 11 pp., 704 KB)
Replacing gas-assisted glycol pumps on glycol dehydrators with electric pumps can increase system efficiency and significantly reduce methane emissions. Electric pumps also reduce maintenance costs and reduce hazardous air pollutant emissions, further reducing compliance costs.
Replacing Glycol Dehydrators with Desiccant Dehydrators (PDF, 21 pp., 784 KB)
Replacing glycol dehydrators with desiccant dehydrators reduces methane, volatile organic compound (VOC), and hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions by 99 percent. Desiccant dehydrators also cost less to install and have significantly lower operating and maintenance costs.
Directed Inspection and Maintenance at Gas Processing Plants and Booster Stations (PDF, 18 pp., 324 KB)
Implementing a DI&M program can profitably eliminate as much as 96 percent of gas losses and a corresponding 80 percent of methane emissions from fugitive emissions from equipment leaks. These leaks account for more than 80 percent of natural gas losses from gas processing plants and booster stations.
Using Hot Taps for In Service Pipeline Connections (PDF, 19 pp., 381 KB)
Using hot taps for making new pipeline connections, in place of shutdown interconnects, allows transmission and distribution pipelines to remain in service through out the procedure avoiding disruption of customer service. Using hot taps also reduces product loss and methane emissions by avoiding the venting of pipeline contents to the atmosphere.
Convert Gas Pneumatic Controls to Instrument Air (PDF, 18 pp., 243 KB)
Converting natural gas-powered pneumatic control systems to compressed instrument air systems is an effective way to achieve significant cost savings, reduce methane emission, and increase safety. By substituting compressed air for pressurized natural gas, instrument air systems eliminate the constant bleed of natural gas from controllers-one of the largest sources of methane emissions in the natural gas industry.
Using Pipeline Pump-Down Techniques to Lower Gas Line Pressure Before Maintenance (PDF, 15 pp., 321 KB)
Using fixed and portable compressors to lower pipeline pressure prior to maintenance and repair significantly reduces methane emissions and saves money. Pipeline pump-down techniques remove product from the section of pipeline under repair, thereby reducing the volume of natural gas vented to the atmosphere.
Directed Inspection and Maintenance at Compressor Stations (PDF, 18 pp., 322 KB)
Implementing a DI&M program at compressor stations is a proven, cost-effective way to detect, measure, prioritize, and repair leaks to reduce methane emissions. Fugitive emissions from equipment leaks at compressor stations represent one of the largest sources of methane emissions in the natural gas transmission industry.
Directed Inspection and Maintenance at Gate Stations and Surface Facilities (PDF, 18 pp., 203 KB)
Implementing a DI&M program at gate stations and surface facilities is a proven, cost-effective way for companies in the distribution sector to detect, measure, prioritize, and repair leaks to reduce methane emissions.
Reducing Emissions When Taking Compressors Off-Line (PDF, 11 pp., 221 KB)
Changing operational practices when compressors are taken off-line is a simple, yet cost-effective way to save money and significantly reduce methane emissions. Keeping compressors pressurized, routing gas emissions to fuel, and installing static seals are three simple practices that pay big dividends.
Reducing Methane Emissions from Compressor Rod Packing Systems (PDF, 12 pp., 153 KB)
Using an economic replacement threshold approach to replacing worn compressor rod packing rings and rods results in operational benefits, reduced methane emissions, and cost savings. Gas leaks from compressor rods represent one of the largest sources of emissions at natural gas compressor stations.
Replacing Wet Seals with Dry Seals in Centrifugal Compressors (PDF, 13 pp., 398 KB)
Replacing wet seals with dry seals in centrifugal compressors significantly reduces operating costs and methane emissions. Dry seals use high-pressure gas to seal the compressor and emit less methane, have lower power requirements, improve compressor and pipeline operating efficiency and performance, enhance compressor reliability, and require significantly less maintenance.
Options for Reducing Methane Emissions from Pneumatic Devices in the Natural Gas Industry (PDF, 17 pp., 140 KB)
Replacing with low-bleed devices, retrofitting, and improving the maintenance of high-bleed pneumatic devices are proven approaches to profitably reducing methane emissions. Natural gas emissions from pneumatic control devices are one of the largest sources of methane emissions in the natural gas industry.
Composite Wrap for Non-Leaking Pipeline Defects (PDF, 19 pp., 249 KB)
Using composite wrap to repair non-leaking pipeline defects as an alternative to pipeline replacement avoids the venting of the damaged pipe-reducing methane emissions, saving product, avoiding service interruption, and reducing repair costs. Savings from using composite wrap usually pay back repair costs immediately.
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